Cinderella A pantomime by Robin Bailes Spotlight Publications COPYRIGHT © 2009 ROBIN BAILES Published by Spotlight Publications All rights are reserved including performances on stage, radio and television. No part of this publication may be reproduced by photocopying or any other means without the prior permission of the copyright owner . It is an infringement of the copyright to give any performance or public reading of the play before a licence has been issued. Spotlight pantomimes must be played as per the script, and without alterations, additions or cuts, except by written permission of the publisher. However minor changes such as the addition of local references and topical references or gags are permitted. Likewise, all musical numbers may be changed at the discretion of the producer. Drama groups must obtain a full acting set of scripts (a minimum of one script per speaking part plus one for the director) before a performing licence can be issued. The name of the author shall be stated on all publicity including posters and programmes. Programme credits shall state "script provided by Spotlight Publications". All enquiries to Spotlight Publications, 259 The Moorings, Dalgety Bay, Fife, KY11 9GX, tel. 01383 825737. Email: [email protected] Website: www.spotlightpublications.com ISBN 978-0-9560209-9-4 Cinderella CAST (in order of appearance) Page Prince Charming - principal boy Dandini - the Prince's advisor Ambrose - the Prince's dog Fairy Godmother - benevolent busybody Buttons - Cinderella's best friend Baron Clarence Bankrupp - Cinderella's absent-minded father Baroness Crimea Scrounge - Cinderella's evil stepmother Cholera Scrounge - 1 st Ugly sister Rubella Scrounge - 2 nd Ugly sister Cinderella - heroine and principal girl Alice - Cinderella's dog Waitress And Chorus of Courtiers, peasants and fairies. SYNOPSIS OF SCENES ACT 1 Scene 1- The Great Hall of Castle Charming Scene 2- The Village of Little Charming in the Wold Scene 3- The Forest Scene 4- The Hallway of Bankrupp Hall Scene 5- The Ugly Sisters’ Bedroom Scene 6- The Kitchen of Bankrupp Hall ACT 2 Scene 1- The Kitchen of Bankrupp Hall Scene 2- The Ballroom of Castle Charming Scene 3- The Kitchen of Bankrupp Hall Scene 4- The Village of Little Charming in the Wold Scene 5- The Ugly Sisters Bedroom ‘ Scene 6- The Village of Little Charming in the Wold Scene 7- The Ugly Sisters’ Bedroom Scene 8- Song Sheet and Walkdown MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT 1 1: 'Here at Little Charming in the Wold'- words by Bailes and Hales (based on 'Omnibus- A Transport of Delight' by Flanders and Swann) 2: 'Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better'- words by Bailes and Hales (Irving Berlin) 3: 'It's Only Love'- words by Bailes and Hales (Lennon and McCartney) 4: 'It's Only Love'- Reprise. 5: 'I Feel Pretty'- words by Bailes and Hales (Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim) 6: Director's choice- any dance tune that can be played in here and used again in the ball. 7: 'Suddenly Cinders'- words by Bailes and Hales (based on 'Suddenly Seymour' by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman) ACT 2 8: 'Dancing Queen' (Abba) 9: As Song 6. 10: 'Find Princess Bella'- words by Bailes and Hales (based on 'Eye of the Tiger' by Survivor) 11: 'That's Not My Name'- words by Bailes and Hales (The Ting Tings) 12: 'We Met at the Ball'- words by Bailes and Hales (based on 'You Can't Stop the Beat' by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman) A NOTE ON THE PRINCIPALS (in order of appearance) Page. The Prince's page. A comic character who performs a variety of functions within the palace. Prince Charming. Principal boy. Handsome and dashing and not wedded to the traditions of his kingdom, hence his search for a bride amongst the commoners of his land. He is very used to deference from those around him and is delighted to find someone who treats him as an equal. Singing role. Dandini. The Prince's chief advisor, a role he also performed for the aging King. Dandini is the guardian of tradition and court etiquette, he is appalled by the idea of the Prince marrying a commoner. Despite his straight-laced nature he also displays a dry sense of humour and he genuinely cares about the Prince. Ambrose. The Prince's dog. Ideally played by one person in a suit alternating between hind legs and all fours. Ambrose is loyal, active and a little mischievious. Fairy Godmother. Relatively traditional Fairy Godmother, but more self-aware than most; it's just a job after all. She has an unusual relationship with Buttons, who thinks she is a little crazy. Singing role. Buttons. The classic pantomime character. He is the audience's link to the onstage action and is Cinderella's best friend as well as having a fairly major crush on her, which she unfortunately does not reciprocate. Never the less he is hugely loyal and protective of his friend. He is active and bouncy with a boyish sense of humour. Singing role. Baron. Baron Clarence Bankrupp is Cinderella's father. He loves her very much and knows that his marriage to the Baroness has not worked out well for her (or him), but he is also very absent-minded, a little weak-willed and more than a little dotty. Baroness. Baroness Crimea Scrounge is the typical evil stepmother. She has plenty of money, which she has no plans on sharing, and only married the Baron because she fancied a title. She dotes on her own daughters, the ugly sisters, but treats Cinderella like a slave. She would do anything to get her daughters married to the Prince. Cholera. The first of the ugly sisters. Cholera is smart in a devious sort of way, she is also, mean-spirited, argumentative and cruel. She genuinely believes that she is a beautiful and desirable woman despite all evidence and experience to the contrary. The role is written to be played by a man dressed as a woman and is a singing part. Rubella. The second ugly sister. Rubella is extremely dumb but no less nasty for that. Like her sister and her mother she treats Cinderella like a slave and is thoroughly horrible to her as well. Also like her sister she believes she is very beautiful and, most importantly, more beautiful than Cholera. The role is written to be played by a man dressed as a woman and is a singing part. Cinderella. Beautiful heroine and principal girl. Cinderella has not had an easy life but she is a fighter. She is very protective of her father and her best friend Buttons. She is fast-talking and has a wicked sense of humour which gives her a sparky and confrontational relationship with Prince Charming. Singing role. Alice. Cinderella's dog. Like Ambrose she is designed to be played by one person in a costume. Alice is bouncy and fun with a habit of chasing her own tail. She looks after Cinderella and is always keen to come to the rescue. ACT I Scene 1 (This scene takes place in front of the greys) A throne is central, a few courtiers scattered about either side (including the Fairy Godmother in courtier costume). Dandini stands stage right Page enters stage right Page Ladies and Gentlemen! In the royal blue corner, weighing in at a majestic 140 pounds, the most gracious, handsome and modest majesty ever to perch his peach upon a throne, your monarch and mine.... Prince Charming! All courtiers bow as the Prince enters with his dog Ambrose. He looks oddly at the Page Prince (to Dandini) Does he have to do that? Dandini It is traditional, sire. That has been the official royal introduction for over two hundred years, ever since King Wildly Charming the Ungrateful. And as your royal father is... Prince Knocking on? Dandini Growing older. It will now be your Highness's privilege, and pleasure, to enjoy the crushing burden of ruling. Prince Oh good. And that includes getting married? Dandini Oh yes your Highness. Marriage is essential. Our land has not been without a queen since King Barely Charming the Obnoxious. A king must have a queen. And not just anyone, someone of birth, station and dignity. Someone 'suitable'. Prince This I think is where we differ: on the definition of 'suitable'. I've seen some of the girls you've got lined up. Dandini Just meet them, Highness. They are all eminently 'suitable'. Prince That's what I'm afraid of. Oh, very well, bring them in. Here, Ambrose! Ambrose has been exploring the courtiers, sniffing, pawing and jumping on them, he now goes to lie at Prince Charming's feet as the Prince seats himself on the throne Dandini hands a scroll to the Page and goes to stand next to the Prince. Page unfurls the scroll Page From the far off kingdom of Catonia, Princess Kerry! A very young girl enters and goes to stand in front of the throne Princess Kerry enjoys soft toys, early nights and toilet training. Prince (to Dandini) She might be just shade too young. Dandini Next! Princess Kerry exits Page Next, all the way from the fantastic and whimsical land of Eastbourne, Princess Gladys! An elderly woman enters and makes her way slowly towards the centre She enjoys short walks, Countdown and having things repeated to her loudly and slowly. (To Gladys) DON'T YOU, DEAR? SHORT WALKS? Prince (to Dandini) You've gone a few decades too far the other way. Dandini Your Highness is being very picky. Princess Gladys has just reached the centre of the stage and stops Next! Princess Gladys reluctantly starts moving again towards the opposite wing Page And now, hailing from the distant and perplexing kingdom of Topsy Turvia, Princess Pauline! A man dressed unconvincingly as a woman enters and goes to stand centre stage She enjoys beer, football and taking things apart for fun.